PS 

.X5A3 




AFTERNOON REHEARSAL 



By lizzie MARGARET KNAPP. 







iricL 



% 



AN 

AFTERNOON REHEARSAL 

" - / 

By lizzie MARGARET KNAPP. 



/CS-ZC^X ' 



Copyright 1892, by Lizzie Margaret Knapp. 

Published by 

The United Workers and Woman's Exchange. 

49 Pearl St., Hartford, Conn. 






^>> 



AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 

A PLAY IX OXK ACT. 

CHARACTERS. 

Mrs. Brvax, an elderly lady, devoted to yoiui;^ people. 

AxGELlorE, Jier uiitid, zuhose, English is sojjiewhat Frenchy. 

Phyllis Herxdox, always in a scrape. 

I^ALRA Drkxf.l and KriTV Vaxdesskx, society girls ivith a 
taste for pri7>ate tJieatricals. 

ArxT Naxcv r>rTTKRxrT, from Scatter brook. 

COSTUMES. 

Mrs. Bryax. (iray hair, lace cap, gray or black dress, tichu. 

Axgelique. liigh-heeled slippers, short dress, white a])ron, co- 
quettish cap with ribbons. 

Phyll^§. Street suit, large hat — later, a trained white dress with 
ruff and powdered hair, veil thrown over head as she enters second 
time, concealing features. 

Laura. Street dress — later, a pretty, old-fashioned gown, broad 
Leghorn hat, lai-ge fan. 

KlTFY. Street dress — later, a velvet cape off one shoulder and a 
Cavalier hat. 

Al^XT Nancy. Old-fashioned dress and shawl, large, (jueer bon- 
net, much trimmed, spectacles, reticule, carpet l)ag, cotton umbrella, 
mitts, and a paper bundle. 



AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 



Scene. — A modern parlor, fancifully furnished. Door at R. Door 
at L. or C. back, behind a screen. Afternoon tea table with 
cups and saucers at L., near front. Angelique dusting with a long 
handled feather-duster, sings a trench song, or hums to herself. 

Angelique. There ! the room is nearly done — a touch to the 
tablecover, so ! and a soupcon of dust from the chair, so ! All is 
complete, fresh, in order, like Madame- herself. Ah, but Madame is 
an angel of goodness, but an angel ! Never shall I forget when first 
I entered this house — it seemed to me a paradise. And Madame, a 
lady, precisely as it should be, and speaking so gently, "Angelique, 
will you have the kindness to do this or that?" Ciel\ but how my 
other mistress used to speak ! (through her nose) "^;2gelique ! Ajt- 
gelique ! you go wipe off the mantel-piece, jk^^^ bring me the broom, 
and be quick about it, do you hear?" Ha ! Ha ! I can see her now. 
But those terrible days are over. 

[Enter Mrs. Bryan, C] 

Mrs, Bryan. Angelique? 

A. (turns quickly.) Is it that Madame speaks? 

Mrs. B. You may bring down the costumes I laid out on the l)ed 
upstairs, and put them on the sofa. 

A. Yes, Madame. (Courtesys.) 

jNIrs. B. And there is a box of hats on the floor; bring those 
down, too. 

A. Yes, Madame. (Goes off R.) 

Mrs. B. It is nearly time for the dear girls to be here. They 
seem to enjoy coming to my house so much. I am sure I don't know 
why, unless it is because I enjoy having them. Young people always 



2 AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 

do me good. I love their pretty ways, and when I see them dancin;:: 
around this parlor I feel like a girl again, myself. 
[Enter Phyllis, hurriedly, R.] 

Phyllis. O Mrs. Bryan ! 

Mrs. B. My dear Phyllis ! Why, what is it? 

Phyllls (hiding her face on Mrs. B.'s shoulder.) I'm in another 
scrape! (sobs.) 

Mrs. B. What is the matter? 

Phyllis. Everything is the matter ! Aunt Jane wants me to marry 
Mr. Pemberton Griggs ! (sobs again.) That's what's the matter ! 

Mrs. B. My dear, he is too old for you ! 

Phyllis. Old? He's a venerable patriarch ! He has one foot 
in the grave. He's forty-five, at least ! 

Mrs. B. (suppressing a smile.) You do not seem to like him very 
well, Phyllis. 

Phyllis (drying her eyes — with sarcasm.) Oh, viy feelings 
haven't been consulted. Aunt Jane likes him. She says (mimics) 
that there are exceptional advantages to the match. It is my duty 
to remember her superior wisdom, and not allow my inexperience 
and romantic ideas to make me obstinate and blind to my highest 
good. Oh, yes, I love him dearly — I adore him ! (with biting sar- 
casm.) 

Mrs. B. Do not get so excited, child. Does Mr. — ah, Mr. Griggs 
seem to care for you? 

Phyllis. Like a grandfather! A well tempered affection, ''you 
know, that will stand the wear of time — at least, that is what he 
said last evening, when we were out driving, (more cheerfully) I'll 
show you. (Faces front of stage.) My dear Miss Phyllis ! (coughs, 
heaugh ! heaugh !) You must have seen (pulls down imaginary waist- 
coat) the admiration with which I have for a long time regarded you. 
I cannot assert that I feel for you that impassioned attachment which, 
believe me, (smooths imaginary beard) exists nowhere outside of 
fiction, but I will do my best to make you happy. Your aunt has 
given me permission to speak. May I not hear from your own lips 
whether I may have encouragement to hope ? (Turns to face Mrs. B.) 



AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 3 

There he is to the life ! Is that the kind of man I want to marry? 
Is that the way I want to be made love to? Oh, no ! no ! not much ! 

Mrs. B. Do you know, Phyllis, I think you must prefer some- 
one else? 

Phyllis (confused.) I don't see what that has to do with it. 

Mrs. B. Sometimes it has everything to do with it — but I con- 
fess I am puzzled to understand why Mr. Griggs has taken such a 
sudden fancy to you. 

Phyllis. Am I such a fright? 

Mrs. B. Not at all — you are very pretty, as you know quite well. 

Phyllis. I will tell you why. Me knows that Aunt Jane is rich, 
and he knows that Aunt Jane approves of him. I told her this 
morning that she had better marry him herself, since she seemed to 
like him so much. 

Mrs. B. Why, Phyllis, my child ! What did your aunt say? 

Phyllis. She looked her very sternest at me, and said I was a 
shameless girl — but I'm noi, (sobs) only I won't marry Mr. Pember- 
ton Griggs — I detest him ! 

Mrs. B. Well, cheer up, my dear, and we will see what is to l)e 
done. The case is not hopeless yet. 

Phyllis. Oh, you are always so good to me ! 

Mrs. B. You had better go and bathe your eyes before the other 
girls come. There is a bottle of rose water on the loureau. 

Phyllis. I will. (Goes C. and comes back.) Are they very red? 

Mrs. B. What? 

Phyllis. My eyes? 

Mrs. B. Not very — but I think you had better use the rose water. 
(Phyllis goes again C.) Poor girl ! with her bright, impulsive ways, 
to be so entirely in the power of a cold, calculating aunt. I am 
heartily sorry for her — though I could not help laughing, she was so 
funny. (Laughs.) I will go and help her. (Goes off C.) 

[Enter Angelique R. with a pile of costumes, which she arranges 
upon the sofa.] 

A. T have heard it all. La painn-e petite I I hope it was no sin. 
Mademoiselle knows I would rather die than betrav her. Have not 



4 AN AFFERNOON REHEARSAL. 

I too, had my sorrows? Francois loved me, but alas ! we were 
parted. I have wept tears of anguish. Now I begin to hope once 
more. If only Francois remains true ! but yes, he must be true I 
Can he have forgotten? How can I doubt him? (Looks in mirror, 
arranges cap.) Yes, I look the same. I have not grown old in the 
least. Ah, there is the bell ! (Goes off R. re-enters with Laura and 
Kitty.) 

A. Madame will be in in a few moments, if you will give your- 
self the pain of awaiting her. Shall I take your wraps, Mesdem- 
oiselles? 

Laura. Can you carry all those, Angelique? 

A. Perfectly, Mademoiselle. 

Kitty. Thank you, Angelique. 

[Angelique goes off R.) 

Kitty (pulls off gloves.) Is my dressall right in the back? 

Laura (shakes it into place.) Yes — how does my hair look? 

KiTfY (pushing in a hairpin for her.) Lovely ! (They come down 
front. Kitty finishing a story already begun.) wSo, when I looked 
up and saw him standing right there in the doorway, I Vs2.^ paralyze d, 
my dear. At first, I thought I'd pretend not to see him, but just 
then I had a l)right idea, and I made a step toward him, and beck- 
oned to him with my fan. " Mr. De Grassey," I said very reproach- 
fully, " where were you the fourth dance? " (Stops, looks at Laura 
and laughs.) 

Laura. That was splendid ! Of course he could not say anything 
after that. 

Kitty. Of course not. 

[Laura moves to sit down opposite Kitty,] 

Kitty. Oh, come here and sit. This chair will hold two. (Laura 
sits on arm of Kitty's chair.) You are forgetting your boarding- 
school training. Miss Drexel. 

Laura. We used to have to sit on the bed in those times. 

Kitty. Four or five in a row, yes. Oh, do you remember the 
night we made molasses candy over the gas, when Molly tried to 
show us a new way of dancing the racket, on the bed, with her 



AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 5 

shoes off, and how the bed broke down, and we all went down head 
first into the ruins? 

Laura. And don't you remember how Mrs. Sylvester came run- 
ning upstairs? Somebody had plastered the door-knob over with 
mucilage, to keep out those little Juniors, and she came tearing in, 
waving one sticky hand in the air — 

Kitty. And confronted four pairs of shoes rising out of the mid- 
dle of the bed — " Young ladies, what is the meaning of all this dis- 
turbance? Get up, instantly." 

Laura. Yes, and we couhhi't you know, so she had to drag us 
out by our feet, herself — oh, dear ! how shocked she looked ! (Both 
laugh again.) [Enter Mrs. Bryan, C] 

Mrs. B. Good afternoon, girls. I am so glad to see you. 

L. and K. Good afternoon, Mrs. Bryan. So kind in you to let 
us come ! 

Laura. ]\Iamma sends her love to you, Mrs. Bryan. 

Kitty. Clara wants me to thank you for the lovely flowers you 
sent her. 

Mrs. B. Give my love to them both. And now about the theat- 
ricals. I have been looking in my store-room, and have brought 
down these old dresses to see if you can use any of them. (All 
three go up to sofa and examine dresses.) 

Kitty. Oh, what a pretty gown — so quaint and old-timey ! It 
would be just the thing for Laura in her part. 

Mrs. B. What is your part to be, Laura? 

Lai-RA. a modern girl, but I have to appear in an old-fashioned 
gown at a fancy ball in the play. I will do it for you. Will you do 
my lover for me, Kitty? 

Kitty. You know I never cotdd act. I came to see yoti, but I'll 
read the part, if that will do. 

■I^aura. Then put on this hat and cape, to look like a knight of 
the olden time. May we dress up in your room, Mrs. Bryan? 

Mrs. B. Certainly. 

Laura. Come on, Kitty. [They go toward C, dresses over arm, 
bandbox in hand.] 



6 AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 

[Phyllis steps from behind screen, veiled. Kitty exclaims.] 

Phyllis. Stand, ye who would enter my dominions ! Who are 
ye and whence do ye come? (Stretches out one hand under veil. 
Girls look at each other and Mrs. B. Phyllis in ghostly voice.) I 
am the White Lady of the Turret Chamber. Touch me not. (Wails 
Go — 'Ooo ! Girls start back. Phyllis suddenly throws back veil, and 
laughs.) 

Girls. Phyllis! Why, how you frightened us ! Where did yon 
get that pretty gown ? 

Kitty. You look too sweet for anything. 

Laura. But what makes your eyes so red ? 

Kitty. Are you in another scrape? 

Phyllis. I'm doomed to matrimony, that 's all. ((liggles, cour- 
tesys.) Mrs. Pemberton Griggs. 

Laura. Phyllis! Why, he 's an old bachelor. 

Kitty. And there's a bald spot on top of his head. 

Laura. And something is wrong with one of his eyes. 

Kitty. And he wears a blue Prince Albert coat. 

Laura. And has dyspepsia — O Phyllis, you can't marry hi;n! 

Phyllis. I am very much afraid Aunt Jane 's going to make me — 
do go along and dress, girls ! (They go off C. Kitty looks around, 
saying " Mr. Pemberton Griggs ! Oh, it 's too funny ! " ) 

Mrs. B. You are feeling a little brighter, Phyllis. 

Phyllis. It always does me good to come here. I should think 
you would be worn out, having so many of us giddy girls around, 
Mrs. Bryan. 

Mrs. B. My dear, I love young people. I should like a house- 
ful all the time. It is years since my own little children died, but I 
miss them still. 

Phyllis (softly.) Poor Mrs. Bryan. 

Mrs. B. They died of scarlet fever — both in one week. (Looks 
away a moment.) We old people learn to s})eak of these things 
quite calmly — quite calmly, Phyllis — but I hope your life will be 
spared such a heavy sorrow. 

Phyllis. I wish I could do something for you, dear Mrs. Bryan. 



AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 7 

Mrs. B. My dear, you do me a great deal of good by being just 
what you are — a bright, affectionate girl. (Kisses PhyUis.) 
[Enter Kitty, airily.] 

Kitty. My noble dames, I salute you ! Behold my magnificence ! 
Don't you think this cape is becoming? 

Mrs. B. Very. Is Laura ready yet? 

Kitty. I left her prinking in front of your looking glass. You'll 
never know her when she appears, she looks so perfectly lovely. 

Phyllis. How truly complimentary ! 

Kitty. Well, you know what I mean. In the words of the im- 
mortal Shakespeare, 

" ^Vt sight of her, my heart 's on fire, 
And chokes the words I fain would utter I " 

(Strikes an attitude.) 

Phyllis. You are the girl who " never could act ! " Why, I can 
very easily imagipe you doing some heroic part in days of yore. 

Mrs. B. Ah, the good old days of yore ! 

[Phyllis and Kitty to the front. Laura enters in time to join in 
last verse.] 

SOXO. 
Tunc — '•''Annie LanricT 
Phyllis. In quaint attire, and stately. 

Which some fair maid once wore, 
We hail, in smiling fancy, 
Those good old days of yore. 
All Three. Those good old days of ycre — 
The days that come no more — 
We hail, in smiling fancy. 
Those happy days of yore. 

Kitty. Those maidens patriotic 

A country's freedom knew. 
And memory salutes them — 
So noble, brave, and true. 



5 AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 

All Three. So noble, brave, and true. 

As their descendents know — 
We hold in sweet remembrance 
The girls of long ago. 

Mrs. Bryan. True courage lives unfailing, 

Brave hands their work uphold, 
And hearts beat on united. 
As in those days of old. 
All Foi'R. As in those days of old, 
'Tis love that finds a way; 
We greet in loyal friendship, 
The maidens of to-day ! 

Laura (with a courtesy.) Ah, my gallant knight ! — come, let 
us begin. We are losing time. 

[Mrs. Bryan and Phyllis watch from the back.] 

Kitty (looks up from book.) I like that. Who kept us wait- 
ing all this time. Miss Vanity? 

Laura. Never mind that — begin at page 24. 

Kitty (reads hesitatingly.) Miss Jasmine — is that the right 
place? — Miss Jasmine, if I am not mistaken, this dance is mine. 

Laura. You are eager for it, it seems, since you claim it when it 
is so nearly over. 

Kitty. Was it my fault that I failed to find you? 

Laura. Not your fault, perhaps, but — 

Kitty. My misfortune — yes, I know it. Let me fan you — eyes 
like yours should be more forgiving Miss Jasmine ! 

Laura. Mr. Randolf ! (Turns away.) 

Kitty. Do not — (looks up) do not — oh, I've lost my place — 
here it is — do not wither me like that. Miss Jasmine, (changes tone) 
you know you have me at your mercy. 

Laura. I know nothing of the kmd. 

Kitty. You must have seen how I regarded you — 

Phyllis. "With a well tempered affection, that will stand the 
wear of time " — 



AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 9 

Mrs. B. Hush! 

Kjtty. I love you to distraction I [Anyone would to see her in 
that gown.] 

Laura. Well, is that my fault ? 

Kitty. Not your fault, perhaps, but — 

Laura (decidedly.) My misfortune. 

Kitty. Do you really mean it, Violet? (Laura nods.) Won't 
you look up? Then I must say good-bye, and (pretends to sob) I 
hope I shall never see you again — boo hoo — oh, boo hoo ! 

Laura. You ridiculous girl ! You are just ruining the play. 

Kitty. I will be good, but that was so funny. Who would be a 
lover? (Returns to book.) 1 am going now, Violet. I cannot 
bear it any longer. Good-bye ! 

Laura. You are in a surprising hurry, are you not? 

Kitty. Why, 1 thought you would Ije glad to get rid of me. 

Laura. I am sorry I provoked you — (holds out one hand) can- 
not we be friends? 

Kitty (seizes it, still looking on the book.) No, never ! I 've told 
you 1 love you, and I '11 stick to it ! Don't you care for me a little, 
Violet? 

Laura. I don't know. 

Kitty. Think. 

Laura. Perhaps I could, if I tried. 

Kitty. Will you try ? 

Laura. Not to-night, I have so much to think of. 

Kitty. I see — you are playing with me. 1 thought at least you 
had some heart. 

Laura. I have ! Oh, don't go away — don't leave me ! 

KiTiY (coming back.) You do love me, then? 

Laura. Well, on compulsion, I admit that I do. 

Kitty. You are an angel ! 

Laura. Oh no, I 'm not — I'm not half good enough for you. 

Kitty. Yes, you are — and will you let me speak to your father? 

Laura. When? 

Krn'Y. To-morrow. 



lO AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 

Laura. To-morrow? Why don't you say yesterday? 

Kitty. Oh, you little witch ! (Throws the book down, rushes at 
her, turns to others.) Really, it would soon wear me out to make 
love like that I 

Phyllis. You do it ever so well, Laura — only, you want to be a 
little more shy when you ask him why he is in such a surprising 
hurry — don't you think so, Mrs. Bryan? 

Mrs. B. Yes, I think it might improve it. It is very amusing. 

A. (from the doorway.) C^est 7nagnijique! 

Laura. Now, Phyllis, it is your turn. She has the hardest part 
of all in that medieval play, Mrs. Bryan. 

Phyllis.' Shall I do the soliloquy? 

Mrs. B. Yes, do. 

Phyllis. Then, don't either of you dai-e to say Mr. Pemberton 
Griggs to me when I call myself an unyielding bride — remember. 

L. and K. Oh, no, we '11 never mention him ! 

Phyllis. Kitty, you will have to call " Hildegarde," and catch 
me when I faint — I'll tell you when. 

Kitty. I will. 

[Phyllis takes the stage. Clasps her hands before her.] 

Phyllis. Alone ! at last, alone ! a brief half hour before I am led 
to the altar, a despairing, but unyielding bride. I am forsaken by 
all; deserted by all my maidens; no sympathizing woman near to 
whom I may confide my sorrows. They would have me believe that 
Max is false, but I will deny it with my latest breath. To doubt him 
were to die. But oh. Max, Max, does not some instinct tell you of 
my danger, and bid you fly to my rescue? Soon it will be too late. 
There is one way of escape, only one ! (Looks at paper cutter in 
her hand.) Good-bye dear room where once I played as a child. 
Had I foreseen my fate in those happy days ! — Good-bye dear por- 
traits of my father and mother I It is the last time I shall ever look 
upon your faces, for I will die by my own hand at the altar, ere I 
will wed the false hearted Count. Hark ! is that a footstep on the 
stairs? [Trembles.] 

KrrrY (rushes forward.) Hildegarde ! 



AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. II 

Phyllis. Oh no, that is not the place to come in — you have 
spoiled it all ! 

Kitty. I am so sorry — do it over again, and I '11 be sure to come 
in right this time. 

Phyllis. Now, don't come in until I tell you. (Goes on.) It 
is my uncle and the Count. My time on earth is very short — (shivers) 
But no ! they shall .not find me trembhng with craven fear. I '11 
meet them proudly to the very last. (Straightens herself, and folds 
her arms.) Come on ! why dori't you come on? [To Kitty.] 

Kitty. Hildegarde! 

Phyllis. Max ! It is Max ! [Faints.] 

[Enters Aunt Nancy.] 

Aunt Nancy (standing in doorway.) Well, well, what 's this, 
what 's this? 

Mrs. B. Why, Aunt Nancy ! 

Aunt N. Yes, it 's Aunt Nancy for certain, but what' s the matter 
wifh the girl over there? 

Laura. She' s just fainted, that 's all — O Phyllis, you did do it 
beautifully ! 

Aunt N. Is that the way to speak, you heartless girl, when any- 
one 's a sufferin'? (Sets down bundle.) Dear, dear — well I' ve got 
some hartshorn right here in my reticule, for I thought I might be 
took sick on the cars — no, 'tisn't here, but I must have it in my bag. 
(Kneels on floor, to open bag.) 

. Mrs. B. Never mind it, Aunt Nancy — it is only theatricals. 
These young ladies are neighbors of mine. 

Aunt N. Theatricals! and you, Car'line, was brought up so 
strict, and your father wouldn't so much as let you play checkers, or 
twelve men morris ! Well, well. 

[Girls all crowd around her.] 

Laura. Too bad you didn't come a little earlier. 

Kitty. You would have enjoyed it too. 

Phyllis. Let me take your wraps. 

Laura. It was perfectly harmless fun. Aunt Nancy. 

Aunt N. (relaxing.) Well, you are pretty girls, anyway. (To 



12 AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 

Laura.) Seem 's if I knew that dress you've got on. Why yes, 
Car'line, don't you remember? It was Emmeline Wilson's, she that 
was Emmeline Pettigrew. I remember a story about that dress. 

Girls. Oh, do tell it to us ! 

Aunt N. W^ell, I don't know. I can'tltay long, for I am on my 
way to the depot. I 've been in from Scatterbrook all day, shopping. 

Mrs. B. Angelique? 

A. (entering.) Yes, Madame. 

Mrs. B. Bring in the tea. 

Aunt N. Don't you trouble to make tea for me right in the mid- 
dle of the aft'noon, Car'line. 

Mrs. B. Oh no, it is all made. 

Aunt N. Pretty early, aren't you? Well, I may as well 'take my 
things off. How do you like my new bonnet? 

Laura. • It is very becoming. 

Phyllis. It just suits the shape of your head. 

Kitty. It 's very dressy. • 

Aunt N. So 'tis, so 'tis. I wanted a dressy bonnet, for I hadn't 
had one since before Amarylly Green was married, and that was all 
of seven years ago. I told the milliner 'bout how I wanted it 
trimmed. She was a dreffle obligin' girl, .and she said she'd fix it up 
reasonable. I no needed to paid for it, either, without I was a mind 
to, for when the bill come in, it had " received payment" on it. 

Mrs. B. (smiling.] That does not mean anything. Aunt Nancy, 
unless the signature is on it. 

Aunt N. Don't tell me, child. They never could have collected 
it. They can't take me in, if I do come from the country. 
[Angelique brings in tea.] 

A. (going out.) How she is droll, that woman ! 
[Mrs. B. pours tea. Girls sit around Aunt Nancy, teacups in hand.] 

Laura. Now the story. Aunt Nancy. 

Aunt N. Sure enough ! Now I call this re'ely comfortable. Car- 
'line, that's a good cup o' tea. Well, when I was a little girl, Emme- 
line was a grown up young lady, just tw^enty, and as pretty as a pic- 
ture. Her ma gave her that dress on her birthday. We dressed 



AN AFTERNOON REHEARSAL. 1 3 

more tasty in those days than they do now — girls was handsomer 
looking, too. 

Phyllis. . And you were the handsomest one of them all, weren't 
you, Aunt Nancy? 

Aunt N. (pleased.) Go away, child. I looked as well as the 
rest, 1 suppose. Well, Emmeline had a sweetheart she thought the 
world of, and he Si^t a sight by Emmeline, too. One cold night, 
along about Thanksgiving, there was a ball, and Emmeline, she went 
in that dress. Jim, he couldn't go, for he had some very particular 
work to do that night in the school-house — he kept a school, Jitn 
did, over to Crocketts corner. In the middle of the ball Emmeline 
overheard two men talkin' against Jim, and sayin' that they might as 
well pay him back that night as any other time, when everybody was 
out of the way at the ball. You see, they had an old grudge against 
Jim, I forget why, and the school-house was in a lonely kind of a 
place, full a mile away. Emmeline listened till she knew just what 
they were up to, then she slipped out of the door, an' run a mile over 
the snow to warn Jim. When she got him home safe, she fainted 
dead away — that's the kind of girl they used to be those days. 

Laura. And do you think any of us would do less if there was 
need of it? You. don't knoiv the girls of to-day, Aunt Nancy ! They 
are just as self-denying, just as heroic ! 

Ai'NT N. W^ell, well, mebbe you are. Some girls is different 
from others. There's a girl to home, lives near me, 's one of the 
other kind. She's engaged to a Mr. Pemberton Griggs — have you 
ever heard of him? He lives up here — they 're a good match ! 

Kitty. Why, he wants to marry Phyllis! 

Phyllis. Why, he asked me to marry him, only last night ! 

Aunt N. Don't you have nothing to do with him, child — he 's a 
deceitful creature, and vain as a peacock. 

Phyllis. Most assuredly I shall not. The idea of his presuming 
to make love to me — 

Mrs. B. Like 2. ^grandfather, Phyllis! 

Phyllis. Any way at ail — and engaged to another girl all the 
time. It is cowardly ! It is despicable ! It 's the meanest thing I 
ever heard of! 



14 AN AFIKKNOCJN RKHKAKSAL. 

Laura. You won't have to die by your own hand at the altar, 
will you, Phyllis? [Girls laugh.] 

Mrs. B. I will call on your aunt, Phyllis, and tell her about this. 

Phyllis. I hope you will — she'll beVieve you. 

Aunt N. Well, I don't seem to have come here for nothing. 
You're as pretty girls as ever I see — come down to Scatterbrook 
some time, all of you, and see me. [Rises.] 

Girls. So we will. 

Mrs. B. Stay to dinner, Aunt Nancy. 

Aunt N. You don't have dinner at this time o' day, Car'line? 

Mrs. B. Yes. 

Aunt N. 1 thought you looked kind o' peaked. You '11 have 
dyspepsia, Car'line, sure. 

Girls. Do stay, Aunt Nancy. 

Aunt N. Well, I will. I guess I can make out to eat something. 
It 's a mercy I come along just when I did, for I have helped — 

L. and K. She has helped — 

Mrs. 11 and Phyllis. You have helped — 

KlTlY. — to get Phyllis out of another scrape ! 
[Curtain falls. 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Sept. 2009 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WQRLO LEADER K' COLLECTIONS .^RESERVATION 

111 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724) 779-2111 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

liiiiliiiiit. 

016 117 865 2 •: 



>*7*^- 



■A-r;'- 



^>=rr^ 



■^ V 



r \ 



